Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 17, 2024
First Reading: Jeremiah 31.31-34
31"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.32It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, "declares the LORD.33"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.34No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.14Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.19Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Second Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9
7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Gospel: John 12.20-33
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.28Father, glorify your name!"29Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Sermon
The readings today guide us through a journey of covenant, obedience, and sacrifice, each weaving together to reveal God's plan of salvation. Jeremiah's promise of a new covenant highlights a deepened relationship with God, where His law is inscribed on our hearts, leading to a universal knowledge of Him. This covenant, born out of the old one's limitations, signifies a restoration and a closer bond with God's people. In Hebrews, we see Jesus as the embodiment of this new covenant, whose obedience and suffering pave the way for our salvation. His prayers and tears illustrate His humanity and reverence, yet His divine role as the source of eternal salvation is clear.
In John's Gospel, Jesus' conversation with the Gentiles and His subsequent discourse reveal the culmination of this covenant through His death. The grain of wheat metaphor teaches us that self-sacrifice is essential for bearing fruit, mirroring Jesus' own journey. His death, a necessary step in God's plan, draws all people to Himself, demonstrating that true life comes through surrender. The voice from heaven underscores God's glorification and the cosmic victory over evil, emphasizing the universal impact of Jesus' sacrifice.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace a life of self-giving love and trust in God's plan. Just as Jesus trusted in His Father's will, we too can find purpose in our struggles. The new covenant calls us to live with God's law in our hearts, leading to actions that reflect His love. Let us remember that our challenges, like Jesus', can lead to greater good, drawing others to God. May we trust in His plan, knowing that through sacrifice, we find true life and honor from the Father.